Tips to Improve Digestion
published by Arian Shergil on May 7, 2012
Digestion is the process in which the food is chewed from the mouth and passed through the stomach and intestine where the food gets completely digested. Digestion enables the circulation of nutrients and vitamins of the food throughout the system. After the absorption of food in the small intestine, the waste product gets stored in the last part of the large intestine which is finally eliminated out of the body in the form of feces. Based on the nutrient contents of the food, the digestion can either be slow or fast.
This article highlights on certain simple remedies to improve digestion.
1. Warm water
It is advised to drink one cup of warm water with few drops of lemon juice every morning. Few drops of raw honey or turbinado sugar can be added for taste. Warm water cleanses the body and improves blood circulation while, the lemon juice is a purifier and enhances the process of digestion.
2. Drink Lassi
Lassi can be prepared by adding few teaspoons of sugar to the yogurt. It is advised to consume a glass full of lassi after lunch. Lassi supports and stimulates the flora of the digestive tract. It enhances digestion without interfering with the systems microcirculation.
3. Combination of ginger and lemon juice
Ayurveda care providers’ advice to eat a small slice of ginger with freshly squeezed lemon juice before meals. Ginger and lemon juice work by stimulating the digestive flora and enhance the appetite thus promoting digestion. Additionally, combination of ginger juice and lemon juice can be taken with warm water. This preparation can be taken at least 1 hour before the main meal.
4. Cook food with spices
Cooking food with spices enhances digestion. Spices stimulate the digestion and certain spices with digestion benefits include coriander, pepper, turmeric, dried ginger, cumin, and ajwain. According to Ayurveda, these are known to eliminate the toxins and chemical residues out of the system and enhance the absorption of nutrients. Hard foods like sprouts and animal products should always be cooked with spices as these are harder to digest and cause abdominal flatulence.
5. Take spicy herbal tea
Consider taking spicy herbal tea rather than consuming caffeinated drinks. Herbal tea like fennel tea should be consumed after lunch to enhance the digestion. Fennel seeds are tasty and fragrant. These seeds can be chewed after consuming a heavy meal.
6. Milk with cumin seeds
Drink a cup of milk with cumin seeds after your dinner or before going to bed. The cumin seeds are effective in enhancing the digestion by next day morning.
7. Include fiber rich food
Consume fiber rich food like whole grain cereals, greens, cucumber, dark green vegetables and fruits. These are natural sources that aid in digestion. Fiber rich foods contain more water and enhance faster digestion.
8. Avoid heavy foods
Avoid heavy foods like paneer, tofu and lentils during dinner as these foods are best when taken for lunch. Also, the digestive process reaches its maximum peak levels during lunch hour and gradually declines at night.
